Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

 

The Alberta circuit of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour’s Mini Tour for 12U players saw an impressive turnout for the highly anticipated, waitlisted Edge School-presented tournament at Olds Central Highlands Golf Club in Olds, AB, on June 9. Young golfers competed for titles in six divisions as well as for qualifying spots in the MJT Mini Tour National Championship in Tsawwassen, BC, in August. 

The juniors battled brisk temperatures, formidable winds, and lightning-fast greens with fortitude, making the performance by 12-year-old Danika Horcica from Edmonton, AB, even more exceptional. With remarkable precision, she notched an impressive five birdies, emerging as the sole participant to finish the day under par. Top finisher scores along with quotes from each division winner are noted below. Full results as well as Closest to the Pin Competition winners are posted on the MJT website here.

 

The next MJT Mini Tour event in the province is at the Triple Creek Golf Club in Millet on July 11. To register or for more information, please visit the website at www.maplejt.com.

 

1. Danika Horcica (12), Edmonton, AB | 70

2. Logan Nguyen (12), Calgary, AB | 85

3. Sydney Preston (11), Calgary, AB | 93
 

Delivering a standout performance was 12-year-old Danika Horcica from Edmonton, AB, who shot an impressive 70, finishing under par despite challenging scoring conditions. Her exceptional play secured her the MJT Girls 11-12 Division title and the Low Overall Score among the girls. Reflecting on her success, Horcica shared, "I made sure I had the right mindset going into the tournament and stayed confident with my game." Her victory under difficult circumstances highlighted her talent and mental toughness.

 

1. Ain Lee (10), Sylvan Lake, AB | 88

2. Mia He (9), Edmonton, AB | 109

3. Brooke Sundquist (9), Calgary, AB | 112

3. Christi Zhu (8), Calgary, AB | 112
 

From Sylvan Lake, AB, Ain Lee, 10, seized a commanding lead after the front nine, paving the way for her divisional victory in MJT Girls 9-10. Lee attributed her mental preparation to ‘not caring about my score until the end’ and focusing on recovery after mistakes, saying, "If I make a mistake, I focus on how to recover and keep myself believing that I can do it." Noting the gusty conditions, she humorously added, "Please get a magic fairy to fix the wind." 

 

MJT Girls 8U: Olds GC: Par 72, Ydg 3110, Slope/Rating 0/0.0
1. Giovanna Crovo (7), Calgary, AB | 138

 

Seven-year-old Giovanna Crovo from Calgary, AB, came out to compete in the MJT Girls 8U division and enthusiastically exclaimed, "I feel amazing and ready for the next one!" Her game was fueled by a mix of positive thinking and focused practice. "I concentrated on my form and strokes at the driving range," she explained.  

 

1. Blake Widmer (7), Edmonton, AB | 83

2. Jacob Topshee (8), Rocky View County, AB | 84

3. Carter Davies (7), Calgary, AB | 94

 

Seven-year-old Blake Widmer from Edmonton, AB, showcased his impressive skills and preparation on the course in the MJT Boys 8U division. He credited his success to ‘lots of sleep and practice,’ which laid a solid foundation for his performance. To stay focused and composed during the tournament, Widmer enjoyed ‘fun conversations in between shots’ and found that ‘snacks help.’

 

1. Shane Sky (9), Foothills, AB | 78

2. Rylan Hryhirchuk (9), Irma, AB | 80

3. Wyatt Lazic (10), Calgary, AB | 88

 

Shane Sky, 9, from Foothills, AB, delivered a strong performance to win the MJT Boys 9-10 title, maintaining focus and composure throughout the competition. "I slowed down and focused on my game and not the other players' game," Sky explained. His strategy paid off as he navigated the course with purpose. Reflecting on his performance, he added, "I was happy with my play, but I’m still going to work on my short game."

 

1. Hudson Lien (12), Calgary, AB | 81

2. Nixen Wilkes (12), Drayton Valley, AB | 85

3. Sebastian Rothzén (12), Calgary, AB | 87

 

Hudson Lien, a 12-year-old hailing from Calgary, AB, expressed the significance of his recent victory in the MJT Boys 11-12 division. "It means a lot to my confidence and mental strength," he remarked. Leading up to the tournament, Hudson dedicated considerable time to practice sessions at his home course and played soccer as a form of stress management. With a winning combination of skill, dedication, and a dash of soccer magic, Hudson proved that he's a force.

 

MJT Mini Tour National Championship (highest ranked player not already exempt):  Danika Horcica, Blake Widmer, Shane Sky, Hudson Lien

 

About Edge School: Edge School is a unique learning community for children in Grades 4-12 to pursue academic excellence while striving to reach their full athletic potential. We accommodate the training requirements of a wide range of sports and disciplines and offer high-performance training in basketball, dance, figure skating, fitness, golf, hockey, and soccer. Edge also offers a training environment for student-athletes in sports (luge, equestrian, skiing, swimming, tennis, etc.) that require a flexible schedule to meet their needs. For more information, visit edgeschool.com.

 

About the MJT: The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour is Canada’s #1 Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is supported by partners across various tiers, including Platinum, Diamond, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels. The MJT hosts more than 100 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 12U and multi-day events for competitive players aged 11-19 which also offer qualifiers for international tournaments. The program has annual awards, scholarships and incentives to help reward performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to the provincial, national, university and professional levels.

 

Media Contact:  Jessica Parker, marketing@maplejt.com 
Marketing Manager, MJT